Process for the manufacture of butynediol

Abstract

Process for the manufacture of butynediol-1,4 from acetylene and formaldehyde in aqueous solution in contact with a copper acetylide catalyst in the absence of a gas phase.

We claim: 
     
       1. An improved process for the continuous production of butynediol by reaction of acetylene and formaldehyde in aqueous solution in the presence of a catalyst containing copper acetylide, the catalyst being contained in a reaction vessel in the form of a suspension or a fixed bed at a pressure of from atmospheric to about 50 bars and a temperature of from about 60° to about 100°C, the improvement consisting in mixing gaseous acetylene and aqueous formaldehyde outside the reaction vessel or at its inlet and passing the mixture into the reaction vessel in the absence of a coherent gas phase, and withdrawing the reaction mixture from said vessel at a point where any gas phase or bubbles formed are removed from the vessel together with the reaction mixture being withdrawn. 
     
     
       2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partial pressure of the acetylene in the aqueous solution is from 0.1 to 95% of the operating pressure in the reaction chamber. 
     
     
       3. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the acetylene is mixed with the aqueous solution by means of a jet pump. 
     
     
       4. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating pressure is from 1.5 to 25 bars.